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Mags & Nats #1
The Nat Makes 7
Golden boy Graysen Galder has it all figured out. He’s the soon-to-be valedictorian of the first combined class of Magics and Naturals at the Boston School of Magic. No one would ever guess that, beneath the charming veneer of the school’s top Natural student, there are dark secrets. Like execution-worthy crimes.
But all those crimes are in the past where they belong. That is, until Graysen is framed for a brutal murder.
With his future in shambles and the past nipping at his heels, Graysen has no choice but to go on the run. And the only one willing to help him is a ghost from his past—a powerful Illusionist and the woman he loved, up until she destroyed his family.
Murders are stacking up in a city praised for peace between Naturals and Magics, and the only person who seems to care about finding the truth is Graysen. Of course, being the city’s public enemy number one doesn’t make investigating any easier.
Graysen and his ex-girlfriend’s band of rogue Magics are the only ones who stand in the way of a serial murderer…if they aren’t killed first.
But all those crimes are in the past where they belong. That is, until Graysen is framed for a brutal murder.
With his future in shambles and the past nipping at his heels, Graysen has no choice but to go on the run. And the only one willing to help him is a ghost from his past—a powerful Illusionist and the woman he loved, up until she destroyed his family.
Murders are stacking up in a city praised for peace between Naturals and Magics, and the only person who seems to care about finding the truth is Graysen. Of course, being the city’s public enemy number one doesn’t make investigating any easier.
Graysen and his ex-girlfriend’s band of rogue Magics are the only ones who stand in the way of a serial murderer…if they aren’t killed first.
- GenresFantasy
323 pages, Paperback
Published September 22, 2020
About the author
Stephanie Fazio
23 books38 followersStephanie Fazio is a fantasy author. She grew up in Syracuse, New York, and prior to writing full time, she worked in the fields of journalism, secondary education, and higher education. She has an undergraduate degree in English from Colgate University and a Master’s degree in Reading, Writing, and Literacy from the University of Pennsylvania.
Stephanie lives in Austin with her husband and crazy rescue dog. When she isn’t writing, she’s getting lost in parks, hosting taco nights, or ironically and miserably losing at word games, but having fun while she does it.
Stephanie lives in Austin with her husband and crazy rescue dog. When she isn’t writing, she’s getting lost in parks, hosting taco nights, or ironically and miserably losing at word games, but having fun while she does it.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 15, 2020
When I first saw this book, I was a bit skeptical of it, I'm not sure why. Now, after reading it, I'm super happy that I did. I loved every one of the characters, and the plot in this was absolutely jammed full of action, with a healthy slice of mystery. It all summed up perfectly, leaving me desperate for the second book. I'd give this a strong 4.5 stars.
First off, let's talk about our characters. We have Graysen, our only non magical character, who is framed for murder. We also have Kaira, Michael, AJ, Yukita, and Smith, who are all Magics on the run. After they break Graysen out of prison, they team up to help solve the mystery of the murders Gray is being framed for. Every one of them had their own distinct personality, and I loved all of them for it. AJ stepped in as comedic relief, and he was by far my favorite. One of the things I always look for in books is a strong group of core characters, and this book definitely fulfilled that. Every one of the characters got their own chance to shine, and I'm excited to see how their personalities are developed in the next book.
I love a good romance, but this book really didn't need it. In one of Fazio's other books, Opal Smoke, I had loved the romance, and it was what made the book for me. This book excelled by adding just small hints, and really focusing on the whole "saving the world" plotline. I really liked how Fazio didn't force Gray and Kiara together immediately, we get to see them work through their past, and gradually forgive each other. Instead of being what defined the characters, the romance just added another facet to their personalities.
The plot of this book was really what made it so amazing. While it starts as a murder mystery, it slowly becomes more and more complex. There were quite a few twists that I didn't guess, and the few that I did guess, still surprised me. As for the ending, it wasn't necessarily a cliffhanger, but it definitely leaves to hungering for more.
The Nat Makes 7 was definitely a unique fantasy, and a strong start to a new series. It's characters were loveable, and the plot kept you guessing. I'll be looking forward to the publication of the next book!
Thanks to Stephanie Fazio for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review!
First off, let's talk about our characters. We have Graysen, our only non magical character, who is framed for murder. We also have Kaira, Michael, AJ, Yukita, and Smith, who are all Magics on the run. After they break Graysen out of prison, they team up to help solve the mystery of the murders Gray is being framed for. Every one of them had their own distinct personality, and I loved all of them for it. AJ stepped in as comedic relief, and he was by far my favorite. One of the things I always look for in books is a strong group of core characters, and this book definitely fulfilled that. Every one of the characters got their own chance to shine, and I'm excited to see how their personalities are developed in the next book.
I love a good romance, but this book really didn't need it. In one of Fazio's other books, Opal Smoke, I had loved the romance, and it was what made the book for me. This book excelled by adding just small hints, and really focusing on the whole "saving the world" plotline. I really liked how Fazio didn't force Gray and Kiara together immediately, we get to see them work through their past, and gradually forgive each other. Instead of being what defined the characters, the romance just added another facet to their personalities.
The plot of this book was really what made it so amazing. While it starts as a murder mystery, it slowly becomes more and more complex. There were quite a few twists that I didn't guess, and the few that I did guess, still surprised me. As for the ending, it wasn't necessarily a cliffhanger, but it definitely leaves to hungering for more.
The Nat Makes 7 was definitely a unique fantasy, and a strong start to a new series. It's characters were loveable, and the plot kept you guessing. I'll be looking forward to the publication of the next book!
Thanks to Stephanie Fazio for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review!
September 24, 2022
The city of Boston is a city teetering on the brink of civil war. Tension between the Magics that reside there and those without magical powers, deemed Naturals, has always been high. But when a high profile murder claims the life of a young Magic and a Natural is implicated in the crime, the city is set to explode. Graysen Galder is a Natural who has his whole future ahead of him after graduation, but taking the fall for this heinous act could change the course of everything. Together with a ragtag group of Magics that call themselves The Six, they must uncover the grand conspiracy at play before it's too late and the relations between these two feuding parties becomes irreparably destroyed.
“The Nat Makes 7” from Stephanie Fazio is the first in the Mags & Nats series. The way that the magical elements were blended with the crime and murder mystery themes was unlike anything I’ve ever read. Fazio’s creativity was on full display with all of the magical powers that her characters wielded, and these led to some very original and wholly entertaining scenes. The main character of the story was a “Natural” without any magic powers, which I found a surprising choice at first, but it really worked here. It made him feel more vulnerable, like the odds stacked against him were insurmountable. The underlying forbidden love story was also swoon-worthy and in and of itself would have been enough to stand on its own, but Fazio did a fantastic job of bringing it all together seamlessly in the overarching narrative. Needless to say, I will undoubtedly be checking out the other books in this series in the near future.
“The Nat Makes 7” from Stephanie Fazio is the first in the Mags & Nats series. The way that the magical elements were blended with the crime and murder mystery themes was unlike anything I’ve ever read. Fazio’s creativity was on full display with all of the magical powers that her characters wielded, and these led to some very original and wholly entertaining scenes. The main character of the story was a “Natural” without any magic powers, which I found a surprising choice at first, but it really worked here. It made him feel more vulnerable, like the odds stacked against him were insurmountable. The underlying forbidden love story was also swoon-worthy and in and of itself would have been enough to stand on its own, but Fazio did a fantastic job of bringing it all together seamlessly in the overarching narrative. Needless to say, I will undoubtedly be checking out the other books in this series in the near future.
October 29, 2020
This book exceeded my expectations - the blurb sounded interesting but the Title threw me (it makes sense when you read the book). I was captivated from the start by the world and characters this author has created. The story flowed with fast pace, action packed suspense. I really like that the magical abilities portrayed are not just the common ones. I look forward to more in this series & from this author.
April 27, 2021
The Nat Makes 7 is not normally a book I would pick up for a few different reasons. One the title really doesn’t draw me in and make me want to know what this book is about. Two the cover, although I loved the background and color contrast, I usually feel like a guy in a suit on the cover has the book leaning toward more of a romance which I’m not a huge fan of. However, once I read the back of the book, I was very intrigued (just goes to show you really shouldn’t judge a book by its cover).
The characters are remarkably diverse, and each has their own unique personality that brings something to the story. One of our main character Graysen is mostly the only Natural talked about in this story aside from some very minor characters. He’s smart, athletic, ambitious and has some dark secrets and some not so dark ones. Our next main character Kaira or Kai, is Graysen’s ex-girlfriend and a high-level magic. Their relationship was forbidden from the start and is known to us right away, and what I loved was that their past wasn’t forced on us all at once but that information from it came out slowly at appropriate times. I also really enjoyed that when they are reconnected after a gruesome murder lands Graysen in jail, Stephanie Fazio doesn’t make them fall back into “insta love” again and doesn’t change the whole focus of the story to be on their relationship/romance. The other minor (yet slightly major) characters include Michael, AJ, Yukita, Smith and Bri who are all high-level Magic’s with different personalities and back stories that all play out at just the right time. After meeting all these characters, the title makes a lot more sense.
The plot of this book to me never felt very specific. It starts out as a murder mystery that lands Graysen in jail for a murder he says he didn’t commit and then it changes slightly to more murders and government corruption. Although the murder mystery does stay very relevant the plot becomes more complex and pulls you deeper and deeper into the story. There are some twists and turns, some are more obvious and others will throw you through a loop. The ending I felt was a bit of a cliff hanger and makes me want to pick up the next book right away.
My only complaint, and it’s a very minor one, is that I found myself getting irritated reading the words Nat and Mag so much. It just felt off to me to say that and not just say Naturals or Magics. Again, very minor complaint and probably just a me thing.
Thank you to Stephanie Fazio for an Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
The characters are remarkably diverse, and each has their own unique personality that brings something to the story. One of our main character Graysen is mostly the only Natural talked about in this story aside from some very minor characters. He’s smart, athletic, ambitious and has some dark secrets and some not so dark ones. Our next main character Kaira or Kai, is Graysen’s ex-girlfriend and a high-level magic. Their relationship was forbidden from the start and is known to us right away, and what I loved was that their past wasn’t forced on us all at once but that information from it came out slowly at appropriate times. I also really enjoyed that when they are reconnected after a gruesome murder lands Graysen in jail, Stephanie Fazio doesn’t make them fall back into “insta love” again and doesn’t change the whole focus of the story to be on their relationship/romance. The other minor (yet slightly major) characters include Michael, AJ, Yukita, Smith and Bri who are all high-level Magic’s with different personalities and back stories that all play out at just the right time. After meeting all these characters, the title makes a lot more sense.
The plot of this book to me never felt very specific. It starts out as a murder mystery that lands Graysen in jail for a murder he says he didn’t commit and then it changes slightly to more murders and government corruption. Although the murder mystery does stay very relevant the plot becomes more complex and pulls you deeper and deeper into the story. There are some twists and turns, some are more obvious and others will throw you through a loop. The ending I felt was a bit of a cliff hanger and makes me want to pick up the next book right away.
My only complaint, and it’s a very minor one, is that I found myself getting irritated reading the words Nat and Mag so much. It just felt off to me to say that and not just say Naturals or Magics. Again, very minor complaint and probably just a me thing.
Thank you to Stephanie Fazio for an Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 11, 2021
This book was amazing! A little more urban than another series I read by this author, but it was different in a good way. Grayson was such a sweetie with so much layered complexity, and I loved his romance with Keara. There was a lot of diversity in this book that I really appreciated. The plot was fastpaced and the ending was satisfying and yet left me hungry for more.
September 23, 2020
This book dumps you right into the action with a lot going on, along with smooth interweaving of the background lore.
Gray has a lot of big secrets to hide – secrets that would instantly mark him for execution. For now, he's a really popular athlete and scholar in his college and and already has a great job lined up. Then, an old flame reappears... and he is framed for murder! On the run, only his enemies show up to help him.
(I wish I was a Magic Creator, would LOVE that power.)
The mystery kept getting deeper and higher stakes and every lead went up in smoke. Halfway through the book I was already desperate to know “whodunnit.”
The camaraderie slowly builds while the group tackles all these crazy obstacles and adventures, and I really wanted to jump into the world of the story, which is one of my markers of a book is good or not. The chief villain is genuinely terrifying and the ending ratchets up the excitement even more. It's not quite a cliffhanger, but there are definitely a lot of adventures to come in future books. I'm hooked.
I received this book as an advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.
Gray has a lot of big secrets to hide – secrets that would instantly mark him for execution. For now, he's a really popular athlete and scholar in his college and and already has a great job lined up. Then, an old flame reappears... and he is framed for murder! On the run, only his enemies show up to help him.
(I wish I was a Magic Creator, would LOVE that power.)
The mystery kept getting deeper and higher stakes and every lead went up in smoke. Halfway through the book I was already desperate to know “whodunnit.”
The camaraderie slowly builds while the group tackles all these crazy obstacles and adventures, and I really wanted to jump into the world of the story, which is one of my markers of a book is good or not. The chief villain is genuinely terrifying and the ending ratchets up the excitement even more. It's not quite a cliffhanger, but there are definitely a lot of adventures to come in future books. I'm hooked.
I received this book as an advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 3, 2022
Graysen Galder is graduating at the top of the first class at BSMU that has integrated Mags and Nats on one campus. Unfortunately, he’ll never get to walk across that stage, he will be arrested for murdering his rival and forced to go on the run.
Exciting action, suspense, magic, murder, and some unexpected twists in the plot made it impossible for me to put this book down. Absolutely wonderful well written, compelling and unique characters who are determined to take down a corrupt system. I think this is a fantastic book, and would recommend it to any fan of this genre, and this author.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Exciting action, suspense, magic, murder, and some unexpected twists in the plot made it impossible for me to put this book down. Absolutely wonderful well written, compelling and unique characters who are determined to take down a corrupt system. I think this is a fantastic book, and would recommend it to any fan of this genre, and this author.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
September 28, 2020
Wow, what a refreshing, unique, fast-paced urban fantasy! I loved that Graysen had no magic himself but was immersed in a world full of magic. His romance with Kiara was so sweet. The romance was only a small part of the book, but it was fine because there was so much action. I loved the banter between all the characters, as well as all of their cool powers. Great read!
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2020
Thrill ride
This book was awesome. I loved Greyson and Kai. I couldn't put this book down. It's definitely a page turner. Can't wait to read what's next!!
This book was awesome. I loved Greyson and Kai. I couldn't put this book down. It's definitely a page turner. Can't wait to read what's next!!
May 29, 2022
It was a fun read I got this book for free and honest review
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews